#VancouverMatters Ep 1: South Vancouver Deserves Better
In the very first episode of my #VancouverMatters video series, I'm taking you to a diverse, vibrant, and fast-growing part of the city - South Vancouver, where public services and infrastructure have fallen behind, and explaining why this problem deserves everyone's attention.
Pay City Workers a Living Wage
City of Vancouver isn’t paying all of its workers a true living wage, despite rising costs in an already expensive city. City Council voted to drop its Living Wage Employer certification in 2023, and a new motion seeks to restore it so front‑line workers can earn enough to live with dignity and stability. Sign up before 5 p.m. on Jan 20th (Tues) to speak directly to Council, or send in a comment.
Speak to Council about Changes to the DTES Plan and Concerns about Potential Displacements!
This Tuesday, City Council will hear more on proposed changes to the DTES Oppenheimer District housing plan. While improving the area is important, these changes risk displacing vulnerable residents by not providing enough deeply affordable housing. With new supportive housing blocked city-wide by ABC, we need more social and deeply affordable housing to keep residents in their homes. Register to speak or write to Council to make your voice heard.
Council Speeches: Iona Supports More Housing Options on Quiet, Walkable Streets
Iona Bonamis spoke in favour of more housing options on quiet, walkable streets in the September 17, 2025 meeting of the Vancouver City Council's Finance and Services Standing Committee.
Vancouver City Hall: Too Busy for Citizen Committees, but No Work for Staff?
Vancouver City Council is set to consider a proposal to cut ten of its eleven Council Advisory Committees. Paired with significant staff firing, the push to achieve “Zero Means Zero” at all costs threaten the City’s ability to manage major events, maintain services, as well as support residents and businesses, especially those in equity-deserving communities.
Council Speeches: Iona Bonamis Speaks Against the "Zero Means Zero" Budget
Iona Bonamis spoke in opposition of Ken Sim and ABC's "Zero Means Zero" Budget at City Council on November 16th, 2025, citing impacts of the budget on vital city services as well as staff morale.
Council Speeches: Iona Bonamis Urging Vancouver City Council to not Abandon the Women's Equity Strategy
Iona Bonamis spoke to Vancouver City Council's Finance and Services Standing Committee on November 5th, 2025, to support a motion that would ensure that work on the Women's Equity Strategy continues, despite the City shuttering its Equity Office in the face of the "Zero Means Zero" Budget.
Op-Ed: Five Tangible Actions to Improve Community Safety in Chinatown
Iona’s op-ed on Chinatown community safety, also published in the Vancouver Sun and Sing Tao (in Traditional Chinese).